Playing partner Paul Broadhurst, currently eighth in the cup standings, did little to impress Woosnam with a second-round 72 to miss the cut at two over par. But the third member of the group, 19th-placed John Bickerton, carded a second consecutive 69 to finish six under.

“I played very well on the front nine, apart from a few drives, but missed a lot of putts,” said 48-year-old Woosnam, whose last strokeplay tournament victory came back in 1997.

“But then I started playing really badly and holing some nice putts, so I suppose it evened itself out. I think I’ll have to get the 3-wood out to get the ball on the fairway, because I’ve lost confidence with my driver.

“I drove great at the US Masters but seem to have forgotten what I was doing after three weeks off – it must be old age.”

Told he was within two of the lead, Woosnam joked: “Win this, and I could be playing captain!”

But he added: “I’ve never even thought about it. I’m not fit enough.”

European Tour rookie Rocha, who secured his card at the tour school in November, matched Woosnam’s 66 to set the clubhouse target at 10 under par.

The Orlando-based 28-year-old held a one-shot lead over Argentina’s Sebastian Fernandez, Germany’s Sven Struver and Australian Peter Fowler – with Worksop’s Mark Foster alongside Woosnam on eight under.

Overnight leader Soren Kjeldsen, who equalled the course record with his opening 63, was also eight under after dropping a shot at the second hole.

“This is my first year on tour, but I couldn’t be any happier,” said Rocha.

“I spent the last four years on the Canadian Tour – which is good in its own right – but it’s a learning tour, not a major one.

“When I got my card for the European Tour I withdrew from the US qualifying school, because I felt this was the place for me to play and to learn from the best.”